Chapter 21 - Hunters

Scott came to a sudden stop in front of a tree, his eyes immediately locking onto Allison's jacket hanging on one of the branches. His heart raced as he scanned the area, his heightened senses picking up the faint breathing and heartbeat of Derek nearby.

"Derek!" Scott called out, his voice a mix of urgency and anger. "Where is she?"

From the shadows, Derek's calm voice replied, "She's safe, Scott. Safe from you."

Before Scott could react, Derek lunged at him. They collided with a force that sent them both rolling on the ground. Derek managed to pin Scott against a tree, his grip strong and unyielding.

Scott struggled, his eyes blazing golden yellow. "Get off me, Derek!"

Just then, Stiles appeared, his eyes glowing a fierce red. With supernatural strength, he grabbed Derek by the shoulder and hurled him away. Derek flew through the air, crashing into another tree. He looked up in surprise, clearly taken aback by Stiles' strength.

"How does a young vampire possess such power?" Derek muttered to himself, staring at Stiles with a mixture of awe and suspicion. But he didn't have time for questions; he sensed danger approaching. "The Hunters are coming. You boys need to run, now!"

Derek didn't wait for a response. He took off into the woods, his form disappearing into the shadows.

Scott and Stiles turned to flee, but before they could move, a flash arrow shot past them, exploding in a burst of light that momentarily blinded them. Another arrow followed swiftly, aimed directly at Scott. With his enhanced senses, Scott caught the arrow just before it could hit him.

Holding the arrow, Scott looked up and locked eyes with the shooter. He captured the man's face, imprinting it in his memory. The shooter, clad in dark gear, was clearly one of the Hunters Derek had warned them about.

"Run!" Derek's voice echoed through the woods, urging them on.

Scott and Stiles didn't hesitate. They sprinted away from the clearing, their supernatural speed allowing them to put distance between themselves and the Hunters. As they ran, Scott's mind raced with the realization of the new dangers they faced. He clutched Allison's jacket tightly, vowing to protect her at all costs.

They burst through the edge of the woods, their breath heavy but their resolve stronger than ever. The night was far from over, and they knew they were only at the beginning of a much larger fight.

---

Scott and Stiles didn't slow their pace until they reached the edge of Beacon Hills. They found themselves in a quiet residential neighborhood, far removed from the chaos of the forest. Scott finally came to a stop, breathing heavily but still clutching Allison's jacket as if it were a lifeline.

Stiles, equally winded but driven by adrenaline, glanced around nervously. "What the hell was that about?" he demanded. "Hunters? What are hunters and since when do we have Hunters in Beacon Hills?"

Scott shook his head, still trying to process everything that had happened. "I don't know, Stiles. But Derek seemed pretty convinced." His voice trailed off, the implications too heavy to articulate.

Stiles placed a reassuring hand on Scott's shoulder. "We'll figure this out. But first, we need to get you calmed down. Your heart's racing like crazy, and your eyes... they're still glowing, dude."

Scott took a deep breath, focusing on his breathing, willing his body to relax. Slowly, the golden hue faded from his eyes, leaving him looking exhausted but determined. "Okay. I'm good. Let's get to Allison's house. We need to make sure she's really safe."

They began walking at a brisk pace towards Allison's neighborhood, the tension between them palpable. Scott's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and fears, each one centering around Allison and the mysterious Hunters.

Stiles, always the voice of reason, tried to lighten the mood. "You know, this would be a lot easier if we had some kind of supernatural handbook. 'How to Deal with Hunters and Not Die 101.' Think they offer that at Beacon Hills High?"

Scott managed a weak smile. "Maybe we should write one."

As they approached Allison's house, they slowed their pace, moving with caution. The house was dark, save for a single light in the living room. Scott's enhanced vision picked up movement inside, and his heart leaped into his throat.

"She's home," Scott whispered, relief washing over him. But the feeling was short-lived as he noticed another figure moving in the shadows near the house.

"Derek," Stiles muttered, his eyes narrowing. "What's he doing here?"

Scott motioned for Stiles to stay back as he crept closer to the house, his senses on high alert. Derek emerged from the shadows, his eyes locking onto Scott's with a mix of frustration and concern.

"I told you to stay away," Derek growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Scott clenched his fists, barely containing his anger. "I just want to make sure she's safe."

Derek sighed, glancing towards the house. "She's inside. Safe. But the Hunters are getting closer. You being here is putting her at risk."

Before Scott could respond, the sound of footsteps approaching from behind made him turn. Stiles had followed, his expression determined. "We're not leaving her unprotected. If the Hunters are coming, we need to be ready."

Derek shook his head, clearly torn. "You don't understand. These aren't ordinary Hunters. They're organized, well-trained. They know what they're doing. And they're not just after you, Scott. They're after all of us."

Scott felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean, all of us?"

Derek's gaze hardened. "Every supernatural creature in Beacon Hills is a target. They've been planning this for a long time."

Scott felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean, all of us?"

Derek's gaze hardened. "Every supernatural creature in Beacon Hills is a target. They've been planning this for a long time."

Scott looked at Stiles, who nodded in agreement. Stiles' eyes still glowed red, reflecting the tension and readiness for battle. Scott knew they were in over their heads, but leaving Allison unprotected was not an option.

"Derek, we need to—"

"Scott," Derek interrupted, his tone firm. "You being here is what's putting Allison in danger. You need to leave. Now."

Scott opened his mouth to protest, but Derek's expression was resolute. There was a mix of urgency and an unspoken plea in his eyes. Scott clenched his fists, feeling the weight of responsibility and the fear of leaving Allison. He glanced back at the house, imagining Allison safe inside, unaware of the imminent threat.

Reluctantly, Scott nodded. "Fine. But this isn't over."

Derek's eyes softened slightly. "I'll make sure she stays safe. Now go."

Scott turned, his heart heavy with the decision. As he took a step back, his eyes met Stiles'. "Let's go."

Stiles hesitated, his gaze lingering on Derek for a moment. Then, with a final nod, he vamp-speed into the woods, disappearing into the darkness. Scott followed suit, his enhanced speed carrying him far away from the house and deeper into the forest.